How to pronounce authoritarian
Say it like uh-thor-uh-TER-ee-un. Authoritarian has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (TER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce authoritarian. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- thor
- uh
- TER
- ee
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Authoritarian pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- thorGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of authoritarian
- American English uses 6 syllables and British English 5.
British respelling: aw-thor-ih-TAIR-reern.
What does authoritarian mean?
- characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule; having absolute sovereignty“an authoritarian regime”“autocratic government”
- expecting unquestioning obedience“the timid child of authoritarian parents”“insufferably overbearing behavior toward the waiter”
- a person who behaves in a tyrannical manner“my boss is a dictator who makes everyone work overtime”
Where does authoritarian come from?
From authority + -arian, circa 1880.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- autocratic
- dictatorial
- despotic
- tyrannical
Words that rhyme with authoritarian
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of authoritarian.
Questions about saying authoritarian
How do you pronounce authoritarian?
Say uh-thor-uh-TER-ee-un. The American pronunciation is /əˌθɔrəˈtɛriən/. In British English it is /ɔːˌθɒrɪˈtɛərɪən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in authoritarian?
Authoritarian has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (TER). Broken into parts: uh · thor · uh · TER · ee · un.
Is authoritarian pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 6 syllables and British English 5. The British form is /ɔːˌθɒrɪˈtɛərɪən/ (aw-thor-ih-TAIR-reern).